Golf putter alignment attachment assembly

ABSTRACT

A golf putter alignment attachment assembly which includes an alignment device. The device is attachable by a golfer (or other individual or alternatively the golf putter manufacturer) to the club head so that the device extends outwardly therefrom and generally perpendicular to the club head face. When attached, the putter can be oriented, visually using the alignment device, by the golfer relative to a golf ball to assist the golfer in aiming the ball towards a golf hole while putting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the game of golf, about half the strokes in a round are on thegreens. Good performance on the green is generally considered to be twoputts. It can be very frustrating even for good players, if three ormore putts are used after good fairway shots. The putt requires accuracyand force of the stroke and also in the direction the ball is struck. Inthis regard, alignment of the putter head relative to the hole duringputting is important. Obtaining proper alignment of a golf club to boththe ball and the intended target line is a common problem for manygolfers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, disclosed herein is a golf putter alignment attachmentassembly. This assembly allows a golfer to attach an alignment device togenerally any golf puffer and to remove it as desired and tosubsequently reattach it or attach another alignment device. Theassembly includes an alignment device having an alignment indicator. Theindicator can be affixed to, affixable to by the user, or formed on asurface of the device, or can simply be the shape of the alignmentdevice. The alignment device is then attachable to the putter so thatthe golfer can orient the putter relative to a golf ball, assisting thegolfer in aiming the ball towards the golf hole during putting.

The alignment device can be attached (by the golfer) to the putter by avariety of means. A preferred means is a magnet means but also a suctioncup, adhesive pad, screw, male and female clasps, and other means aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art can be used. Theattachment mechanism can include a first connector attachable to theputter (for example, by the golfer or by the manufacturer of the golfputter) and the alignment device has a second connector formating/cooperating with the first connector. For example, the firstconnector can be a metal piece and the second connector can be a magnet.Although a preferred attachment method is to attach the alignment devicedirectly to the golf putter club head, it is also within the scope ofthe invention to attach it to the golf putter shaft. This can be done byusing a clamp on the shaft and with a support arm descending down fromthe clamp and supporting the alignment device at its lower end in theproximity of the club head.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those persons having ordinary skill in the art to which thepresent invention pertains from the foregoing description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of agolf putter alignment attachment assembly of the present invention beingattached to a golf putter club head;

FIG. 2 is perspective view showing the attachment assembly of FIG. 1 inan attached position on the club head;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the attachment assembly of FIG. 2 onthe putter and in an alignment position by a golfer relative to a golfball;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the alignment device of the attachmentassembly of FIG. 1 shown in isolation;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector of the assembly of FIG. 1 shown inisolation;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a connector of an assembly which includes thealignment device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a connector of the assembly which includes thealignment device of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 20 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a top view of a connector of an attachment assembly whichincludes the alignment device of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 26 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of a male attaching member securableto (or part on an alternative alignment device of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of an alternative male attachingmember;

FIG. 29 is a top view of a female socket member (connector) for securingtherein the male attaching member of FIGS. 27 or 28;

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of the socket of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the socket and is particularlyadapted for the male attaching member of FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative socket and isparticularly adapted for the male attaching member of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 is a top view of an alternative rotational socket of the presentinvention;

FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of the socket;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view thereof;

FIG. 36 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 37 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 38 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 39 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 40 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 41 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 42 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 43 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 44 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 45 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 46 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 47 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 48 is a top view of a connector of an attachment assembly whichincludes the alignment device of FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 50 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 51 is a top view of another alignment device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 52 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 53 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 54 is a top view of a connector of an attachment assembly whichincludes the alignment device of FIG. 51;

FIG. 55 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 56 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 57 is a side elevational view of an alternative alignmentattachment assembly of the present invention shown mounted on a putter;

FIG. 58 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a side elevational view of a putter club head showing a firstattachment location for an assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 59 showing a second attachment point;

FIG. 61 shows a third attachment point;

FIGS. 62-73 show designs of various alignment device shapes (without orprior to alignment/artful designs being applied thereto);

FIGS. 74-79 are top views of any of the alignment devices describedabove with alternative designs or alignment indicators that have beeninked, painted, molded or otherwise applied thereon;

FIGS. 80-85 show alignment devices similar to those depicted in FIGS.74-79 wherein the black portions represent solid material that has beenremoved from the body of the alignment device creating “hollow” designs;

FIGS. 86-91 are views similar to FIGS. 74-79 and 80-85 wherein thedesigns can be “applied” or “removed”;

FIG. 92 is a top view of an alternative alignment device;

FIG. 93 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 94 is a top view of a further alternative; and

FIG. 95 is a side elevational view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are various alignment assemblies wherein a golf ball tobe struck forms an extension of the alignment attachment on the golfclub putter to provide an indication that the putter club head isproperly aligned with the golf ball and the intended target line. Thealignment device is mountable, for example, perpendicular to the ballstriking face of the golf club head. The alignment indicator of thealignment device is disposed perpendicular to the ball striking facepreferably, and in use forms what can be described as a line or row withthe ball to be struck when the putter is properly aligned by the golfer.The alignment device may be designed so that it curves (for example)upward or the alignment device may be designed so that it extends fromthe head either perpendicularly or at an angle for some distance beforemeeting a point at which it either curves or extends further at anangle. In the detailed description of the present invention thatfollows, it should be appreciated that like reference numerals are usedto identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an alignment assembly 100of the present invention being secured to the head 104 of a golf puttershown generally at 110. The assembly 100 includes an alignment device120 including a generally flat member 124 and a connector 128 securedthereto. The member 124 can be tongue-shaped, and as an example can havelength, width and thickness dimensions of 3¼ inches, 1¾ inches and 1/16inch. For this embodiment and most of the other embodiments disclosedherein the connector is secured to a bottom surface of the flat member132, extending down 3/16 inch, for example. The alignment assembly 100further includes a separate connector 140 securable to the putter 110(or more particularly, the club head 104). The other connector 140 isshown herein to include a metal piece 144 attached to an adhesive pad148 to a surface of the putter head. The metal piece 144 releasablyadheres to the magnet 150 in the alignment device connector. Thealignment device 120 is shown in its various plan and side views inFIGS. 3-5. Similarly, the (putter) connector 128 is shown in its variousviews in FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 2A is a stylized perspective view showing a golfer G in a puttingposition holding the shaft 160 of the putter 110 and looking down on thetop surface of the alignment device 120. The alignment device 120defines an alignment line which is perpendicular to the face 164 of theputter head 104 and is centered relative thereto. The golfer G therebycan align the head of the putter face so that it is not onlyperpendicular to the golf ball 170 but is in alignment with the golfball and the golf hole 174 (or the intended golf ball path). Of coursethis alignment path can be a straight path or a curved path, dependingupon the golf green characteristics and the golfer's putting strategy.

The attachment method of the assembly of FIG. 1 is a side attachmentmethod of the connector of the alignment device with the putterconnector similarly oriented. In contrast, the attachment method of theassembly of FIGS. 9-14 is a bottom attachment method. It is noted thateither one of these assemblies can be altered, as alternativeembodiments of this invention, with the putter connector including themagnet and the alignment device connector including the metal piece.This reversal of components can also be applied to the other figures andembodiments herein as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

More particularly, the alignment device 218 of the attachment assemblyof FIGS. 9-14 includes a flat member 220 with the connector 214 attachedto a bottom rearward surface of the flat member and defining adownwardly disposed holder for a permanent magnet 226. The putterconnector 214 includes a metal piece 224 and an adhesive pad 228 asshown in FIG. 6, with the metal piece disposed upwardly.

The assembly of FIGS. 15-20 and the assembly of FIGS. 21-26 show the useof magnets similar to the above-described assemblies. However, themagnets of the last two mentioned assemblies are used in conjunctionwith male-female constructions that provide for better support thanmagnetic attachments alone. Specifically, a socket 240 mounting for theoutwardly-extending magnet 244 of the alignment device 248 is providedon the putter connector 252. The assembly of FIGS. 15-20 has the magnetand socket laterally attached in a side arrangement. In contrast, themagnet 260 on the alignment device 264 and socket 270 on the connector274 of the assembly of FIGS. 21-26 are in a longitudinal ortop-to-bottom attachment arrangement.

Also within the scope of the present invention is a male-to-femaleattachment arrangement that does not use a magnetic attachment butinstead relies only on the male-female securement. The male member canbe a cylindrical post or preferably it can be a bulbous post 280 asshown in FIG. 27 or a bulbous post with an end tip as shown in FIG. 28at 284. The bulbous post 280 of FIG. 27 fits into the socket 290 whosecross section is shown in FIG. 31 at 294. The bulbous post with tip 284of FIG. 28 fits into a socket having a cross-sectional configuration asshown in FIG. 32 at 298. The socket 290 of FIGS. 29-32 are stablesockets. In contrast the socket 304 of FIGS. 33-35 is a rotationalsocket, as can be understood from the dotted lines in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 35.

The assembly need not have a connector attachable to the golf club andwhich is initially a separate piece from the alignment device. Rather,another embodiment of the present-invention attaches the alignmentdevice directly to the golf putter or particularly the putter head. Anembodiment of this direct attachment is shown in FIGS. 36-38. Referringthereto, the alignment device 310 includes a flat member 320 and aconnector piece 330 descending downwardly therefrom and having anadhesive surface 334.

Instead of adhesive being the means of attaching the flat member 340 ofthe alignment device 350, a suction cup 354 can be used. An embodimentthereof is shown in FIGS. 3941. Referring thereto, it is seen that thealignment device 350 includes the flat 340 member and adownwardly-descending connector piece 360 at the end of the member.Secured to this connector piece 360 and extending rearwardly therefromis the suction cup 354.

Instead of an adhesive or suction cup, a screw 370 can be used as shownby the embodiment of FIGS. 4244. It is seen there that similarly thereis the flat member 374 of the alignment device 380 and adownwardly-descending connector piece 384 out from which extends athreaded screw shaft 370. The threaded screw shaft 370 is adapted tothread into a threaded opening (not shown) on the putter (head) itselfor on a threaded socket (not shown) secured to the putter. The screwembodiment though may require the golfer to bring his putter to a golfshop or to drill a hole in the putter himself, or the putter may beinitially manufactured with the hole.

The assembly of FIGS. 45-50 includes a T-shaped member 390 extending outfrom a member 394 descending down from the flat member 396 at the end ofthe alignment device 400. This T-shaped member 390 fits into a T-shapeslot 400 in the connector 410 secured to the putter. This provides asnug fit—a puzzle piece type of fit. Shapes other than the T-shape canbe used as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

An alternative type of arrangement for mounting the alignment device tothe putter club head is shown in FIGS. 51-56. Referring thereto andparticularly to FIGS. 54-56, a rail like groove 420 is provided on the(putter) connector 430. This groove 420 holds the end of the alignmentdevice 434 in place when inserted therein. The attachment mechanism canbe best understood from FIG. 56. The alignment device 434 of FIGS. 51-53can be simply the flat member 438 (such as previously described) withoutany downwardly or outwardly extending connector pieces.

A further alternative method of attaching the alignment device to theputter is to use a bracket or clamp type of attachment. An examplethereof is shown in FIGS. 57 and 58. Referring thereto it is seen thatthe bracket or clamp 450 is attached to the shaft 454 of the putter 110or more generally to an area of the putter outside of the putter head104. Another possible bracket attachment is to attach the bracket orclamp directly onto the putter head 104. An arm 460 extending down fromthe clamp supports the alignment device 464.

FIGS. 59, 60 and 61 show the back sides of putter heads with alignmentdevice mounting points at three different places 470, 480, 490 along theback of the putter head. The placement of each mounting point and thepermanency of the alignment device attachment affect the design of thealignment apparatus. The design may require the apparatus to be jointedas shown by the alignment device 500 of FIGS. 92 and 93 having a jointline 510 in the flat member 520. The jointed (pivoted) arrangement maybe needed depending on the placement of the mounting point or for themobility of a semi-permanent or permanent attachment apparatus.

FIGS. 62-73 show various possible shapes of the alignment device at 520,524, 528, 532, 536, 540, 544, 548, 552, 556, 560, and 564, respectively.FIG. 63 shows at 524 the tongue shaped as used in the designs describedin the paragraphs above, and the other figures show alternative shapes.These shapes all have a longitudinal axis inherent therein which canprovide the desired putting alignment.

FIGS. 74-79 represent a common alignment device body with designs shownat 580, 584, 588, 592, 594, 596, and 598, respectively, that have beeninked, painted, molded or applied via some other means directly to thealignment device, and a tongue-shaped alignment device is illustrated.This design provides alignment indicators. FIGS. 80-85 represent solidmaterial that has been removed from the body of the alignment devicecreating “hollow” designs, as illustrated by reference numerals 600,604, 608, 612, 616, and 620, respectively. FIGS. 86-91 can represent the“applied” designs as in FIGS. 74-79 or the “removed” designs as in FIGS.80-85. The “designs” are labeled by numerals 630, 634, 638, 642, 646 and650. As can be seen, the artistic possibilities are numerous and can beanything from solid shapes to stars to flowers to sports teams and soforth.

Illustrated in FIGS. 94 and 95 is a further alternative of the inventionthat goes beyond the flat attachment which is primarily put forth inthis disclosure. This further alternative can take the form of awedge-shape alignment device 700 shown connected by connector 704 to aputter head 708 of a putter 712 having a shaft 716. The putter head 708is shown positioned proximate to a golf ball 720, for example, thatenhances not only putt alignment but also lie or slope control duringthe swing, which is also an important consideration for putt accuracy.In terms of controlling lie the top of the alignment device 700 can be adifferent color (shading or the like) from the sides thereof, providinga visual means for the golfer to identify a less than optimal swing inthe process of hitting the golf ball 720. This alternative adds athree-dimensionality component to the present invention.

Thus, disclosed herein is a putter alignment device attachable to theclub head of a putter. By this means, the alignment device can beattached to the putter, but in some instances the alignment device canbe directly connected by means of adhesive or other direct connection.The point of attachment, depending on the placement of the alignmentconnector or the lack thereof, can be on top of, behind, on the side orunderneath the putter head. Also it is within the scope of the inventionfor the attachment of the alignment device to be connected to the puttershaft.

This putter alignment device assists the golfer in aiming a golf balltowards a hole during putting, as can be best understood from FIG. 2A.The alignment attachment indicators (that is, images on the alignmentdevice) can be circles, hemisphere or complete hemispheres, groups oflines, solid color, transparent, multiple colors, drawings, letters,pictures, images, stickers, three-dimensional objects or any combinationthereof. For example, the alignment attachment device can be one or morecircles, an image of a missile, bowling balls, the words “drain it,” thefamous yellow smiley face, arrows, flowers, a picture of the golfer'schildren, a three-dimensional snake, a logo of the golfer's favoritesports teams and so forth. The standard position of the indicators isalong a line extending rearward from the center of impact of the golfputter head.

The alignment device can be releasably or permanently secured to thegolf putter using a separate connector member, as previously described.This connector can be attached to the putter head by adhesive materialalready on the connector according to a simple design of the connector.After the connector is attached it will not be easily adjustable, unlessremoved and placed on another location on the putter. Once the connectoris placed securely on the putter, the alignment device can be attachedto the putter.

Some of the connectors and alignment attachments pursuant to thisinvention can be adjustable. First, with multiple points a possibleattachment location to the putter head and after initial attachment,some of the alignment devices can be raised or lowered or manipulated inother ways on the putter to best suit the golfer for different puttingsituations or personal preference.

The alignment device can be removable from the putter. That is, thegolfer may choose to leave the alignment device attached or may chooseto remove it. The alignment device may be interchangeable with otherputter alignment devices. The golfer may choose to use theminterchangeably due to environmental factors, weather conditions orpersonal choices or moods or to communicate a message, such as hisemotional state. The alignment devices can also be collectibles.Further, the alignment devices can be custom made and also serve otherpurposes than aligning putts.

The present invention allows the user to make use of his current putteror virtually any other putter to provide improved putter alignmentwithout necessarily altering the weighting or feel of that putter.Because the golfer does not need to purchase a new putter, the alignmentdevice or assembly of the present invention is simultaneously botheconomical and beneficial to the golf game. The attachment would likelybe less expensive than purchasing a new putter with alignment aidsdesigned into the putter. However, it is also within the scope of theinvention to manufacture the alignment devices or their attachments intothe golf putter. The simple designs of the present alignment devicesmake them economical, easy to attach and easy to use.

The putter connector and putter alignment devices can be manufactured byvarious methods using many different materials. One preferred embodimentis to make them out of one or more polymer (plastic) materials.Alternatively, metals such as aluminum, silver, gold, platinum orstainless steel can be used. Additionally, the putter alignment devicescan be made of natural materials such as wood, including wood productsand paper products. Furthermore, the alignment devices can be made froma combination of the above-mentioned materials.

The (putter) connector as well as the alignment device itself can bemanufactured by many different methods. For example, they can be made bymaking a mold and mass producing copies or utilizing some type ofstamping mechanism to form each individual piece. Additionally, they canbe manufactured in “sheets” of the chosen material and later separatedinto individual alignment devices and/or connectors. They can also behandmade. And the adhesive material can be applied or attached to eitherthe connector or directly to the alignment device for the purpose ofattaching to the putter according to some of the embodiments that arediscussed above. For example, the putter connector can make use ofdual-sided sticky foam sheets. One side will be attached to the putterconnector, or directly to the putter alignment device, and the otherside will have a protective cover that will need to be removed beforeplacing on the putter.

Pursuant to a basic form of the present invention, it can be broken downinto an alignment apparatus and the putter head to which it attaches.Typically it attaches to the putter in and around the region of theputter head.

The alignment apparatus or device can be manufactured to be “zero” tomany pieces. When it is “zero” pieces the putter is designed by itsmanufacturer, the golfer and/or other individual to accept the presentinvention as a semi-permanent metal (or otherwise) insert or attachment.Alternatively, the putter can be retooled by a golf shop to accept thepresent invention as a semi-permanent insert or attachment. When it is amanufactured as a single piece, the apparatus is attached as a singlepiece via suction, adhesive, screw or other means to the putter. When itis manufactured as two pieces, a mount unit or a connector is attachedto the putter. The present alignment device then connects directly ontothis mount or connector via a snap mechanism or some other method asdescribed herein. When it is made of many pieces, one or morecombinations of attaching multiple pieces to a mounting unit or to thealignment apparatus are used.

Pursuant to another embodiment, a manufacturer may build a putter withthe alignment device or a connector pre-attached as part of themanufacturing process. From the golfer's perspective the putter head maylook “normal” without the present attachment, although the putter wouldbe capable of accepting the attachment per manufactured specs orstandards (while not having a more generic attaching mechanism beingused, although that may be possible.) In other words, the puttermanufacturers can manufacture their putters straight from the factorypre-fit to accept some form of the alignment device of this invention.

The placement of the weighting on the apparatus can vary. The presentinvention also includes the process and system of adding attachments toa putter head which affect the handling and weighting of the putter.This gives the golfer, manufacturer and/or other individual the abilityto independently customize the feel of his putter to the best feel andindividual performance.

The length, width and depth as well as the weight of the alignmentdevice can be varied. The composition of the alignment device andmounting unit can be varied as can the weight of the material used.Further, the attaching or mounting points upon the putter can vary.Typically, the device attaches to the putter via the back portion of theputter head, as opposed to the putter head face which typically strikesthe ball. However it is within the scope of the invention to positionthe attachment point at other various positions which include but arenot limited to the top of the putter head, the bottom of the putter headand even the shaft of the putter. Further, the attachment can bedesigned so that it extends over the front/face of the putter andextends up to and past the golf ball that is being hit.

Many different designs of the alignment device or apparatus of thisinvention are possible including its size as well as its shape; forexample, the apparatus can have a tapered shape. The device can bebasically flat or three-dimensional. When viewed from the top, it cantake many forms of simple to complex in nature, be of variouscombinations of colors, sizes, and can depict one or more artfulentities. The apparatus can depict hollow designs, for example, twocircles physically punched out or removed from the apparatus. Stillfurther designs provide for recesses on the top portion of the alignmentdevice that allow one to interchange the design on top of the apparatus.The change can be permanent or semi permanent. A further designvariation is a lollypop design that looks like a stem with a sphere atthe end of it.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that thereare a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the presentinvention which come within the province of those skilled in the art.The scope of the invention includes any combination of the elements fromthe different species or embodiments disclosed herein, as well assubassemblies, assemblies, and methods thereof. However, it is intendedthat all such variations not departing from the spirit of the inventionbe considered as within the scope thererof.

1. A golf putter alignment attachment assembly, comprising: an alignmentdevice; the alignment device including an alignment indicator; and thealignment device is attachable to a putter in an attached position suchthat the indicator and thereby the putter can be oriented relative to agolf ball by a golfer to assist the golfer in aiming the ball towards agolf hole during putting.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprisinga putter connector securable to the putter, and the alignment devicebeing attachable to the putter connector so as to thereby be in theattached position.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the putterconnector is securable to the putter with adhesive material.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3 wherein the adhesive material is on the putterconnector before the putter connector is secured to the putter.
 5. Theassembly of claim 2 wherein the alignment device is releasable from theconnector and reattachable thereto.
 6. The assembly of claim 2 whereinthe connector defines a first connector, the alignment device includes asecond connector and the second connector is connected to the firstconnector with the alignment device in the attached position.
 7. Theassembly of claim 2 wherein the putter connector is manufactured ontothe putter head of the putter.
 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein withthe alignment device in the attached position, the indicator is orientedon and disposed along a line extending rearward from a golf ball impactcenter of a putter head of the putter.
 9. The assembly of claim. 1wherein when the alignment device is in the attached position, the pointof attachment of the alignment device is on top of a club head of theputter.
 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein when the alignment device isin the attached position, the point of attachment of the alignmentdevice is on a backside of a club head of the putter.
 11. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein when the alignment device is in the attachedposition, the point of attachment of the alignment device is on a sideof a club head of the putter.
 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein whenthe alignment device is in the attached position, the point ofattachment of the alignment device is on a bottom surface of a club headof the putter.
 13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein when the alignmentdevice is in the attached position, the point of attachment of thealignment device is on a shaft of the putter.
 14. The assembly of claim1 wherein the alignment indicator defines an alignment line, and withthe alignment device in the attached position, the alignment line isperpendicular to a ball striking face of a club head of the putter. 15.The assembly of claim 1 further comprising retail packaging holding thealignment device, the packaging being separate from the putter.
 16. Theassembly of claim 15 further comprising a putter connector held in thepackaging.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the putter connector issecurable to the putter, and the alignment device is attachable to theputter connector and thereby in the attached position.
 18. The assemblyof claim 17 wherein the alignment device includes a connector for theputter connector.
 19. The assembly of claim 1 further comprisingattaching means for attaching the alignment device in the attachedposition to the putter.
 20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein theattaching means includes a magnet.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 whereinthe magnet is attached to the alignment device, and the attaching meansfurther includes a metal connector attachable to the putter and adaptedto magnetically adhere the magnet such that the alignment device is inthe attached position.
 22. The assembly of claim 19 wherein theattaching means includes a post attachable on one of the putter or thealignment device and a socket attachable on the other one of the putteror the alignment device wherein the post is insertable into the socketsuch that the alignment device is in the attached position.
 23. Theassembly of claim 19 wherein the attaching means includes a suction cup.24. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the attaching means includes ascrew.
 25. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the attaching means includesand an angled post disposable in an angled slot such that the alignmentdevice is in the attached position.
 26. The assembly of claim 19 whereinthe attaching means includes a slide mount mountable to the putter andadapted to receive therein an end of the alignment device.
 27. Theassembly of claim 19 wherein the attaching means attaches the alignmentdevice to a shaft of the putter.
 28. The assembly of claim 19 whereinthe attaching means includes a clamp attachable to the shaft and an armdescending down from the clamp and supporting the alignment device. 29.The assembly of claim 19 wherein the attaching means allows for theattachment of the alignment device in alternative locations on theputter as selected by the golfer.
 30. The assembly of claim 19 whereinthe attaching means includes a putter connector member attached to theputter and to which the alignment device is releasably securable. 31.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alignment indicator includesalignment indicia.
 32. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alignmentindicator includes the shape of the alignment device.
 33. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein the alignment indicator is oriented longitudinally onthe alignment device.
 34. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising aclamp attachable to a shaft of the putter and an arm descending downfrom the clamp to support the alignment device in the attached position.35. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alignment device includes aplate member which when in the attached position extends out from a clubhead of the putter and disposed perpendicular to the face of the clubhead.
 36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the plate member isapproximately 3¼ inches long, 1¾ inches wide and 3/16 inch deep, forexample.
 37. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the alignment device has awedge shape with first and second angled surfaces.
 38. The assembly ofclaim 37 wherein the first and second angled surfaces have differentcolors.
 39. A golf putter alignment attachment assembly, comprising: analignment device; and attaching means for attaching the alignment deviceto a putter in an attached alignment position such that the alignmentdevice assists a golfer in orienting the golfer's putter relative to agolf ball to assist in aiming the ball during putting.
 40. The assemblyof claim 39 wherein the attaching means is an adhesive attaching means.41. The assembly of claim 39 wherein the attaching means is a magneticattaching means.
 42. The assembly of claim 39 wherein the attachingmeans is a male-female attaching means.
 43. The assembly of claim 39wherein the attaching means allows the golfer to attach the alignmentdevice to the putter.
 44. The assembly of claim 39 wherein the attachingmeans is a releasable attaching means such that the golfer can removethe alignment device from the putter.
 45. The assembly of claim 39wherein the attaching means includes a connector which is attached tothe putter and to which the alignment device is attached when in theattached position.
 46. The assembly of claim 45 wherein the connectordefines a first connector and the alignment device includes a secondconnector which is connected to the first connector when the alignmentdevice is in the attached alignment position.
 47. The assembly of claim46 wherein the alignment device includes a top flat piece and the secondconnector is secured to a lower surface of the top flat piece.
 48. Theassembly of claim 46 wherein the alignment device includes a top flatpiece and the second connector is secured to a lower surface of the topflat piece.
 49. The assembly of claim 48 wherein the alignment devicehas an alignment axis to assist the golfer in visually aligning theputter.
 50. The assembly of claim 49 wherein the alignment axis is acentral longitudinal axis of the alignment device.
 51. The assembly ofclaim 49 wherein the alignment axis is defined at least in part by theshape of the alignment device.
 52. The assembly of claim 49 wherein thealignment device has a tongue shape.
 53. The assembly of claim 50wherein in a plan view the alignment device is symmetrical about thecentral longitudinal axis.
 54. The assembly of claim 49 wherein thealignment axis is defined at least in part by an indicator on thealignment device.
 55. A golf putter assembly including a golf putterhaving a shaft and a club head, the improvement comprising: an alignmentdevice removably attachable to the putter in an attached alignmentposition such that the alignment device assists the golfer in orientingthe putter relative to a golf ball to assist in aiming the ball duringputting.
 56. The assembly of claim 55 wherein the alignment deviceincludes a flat surface, the alignment device when in the attachedalignment position includes the flat surface extending outwardly fromthe club head and generally perpendicular to the club head face.
 57. Theassembly of claim 55 further comprising a first connector attachable tothe putter, the alignment device including a second connector, and thefirst and second connectors being connected together when the alignmentdevice is in the attached alignment position.
 58. The assembly of claim55 wherein the alignment device defines a ball alignment axis.
 59. Theassembly of claim 58 wherein the alignment axis is defined at least inpart by the shape of the alignment device.
 60. The assembly of claim 58wherein the alignment device includes a top surface alignment indicator,and the alignment axis is defined at least in part by the alignmentindicator.
 61. The assembly of claim 55 wherein the alignment device isremovably attachable to the putter by a manufacturer of the golf putter.62. The assembly of claim 55 wherein the alignment device is removablyattachable to the putter by the golfer.
 63. A putting method,comprising: attaching an alignment device to a putter in an attachedalignment position and orientation; and with the device in the attachedalignment position and orientation and visually using the device,orienting the putter relative to a golf ball to assist a golfer inaiming the ball toward a golf hole during putting.
 64. The method ofclaim 63 wherein the attaching includes attaching the alignment assemblyto a club head of the putter.
 65. The method of claim 63 wherein theattaching includes attaching the alignment assembly to a shaft of theputter and the attached alignment position being relative to a club headof the putter.
 66. The method of claim 63 further comprising removingthe alignment assembly from the putter.
 67. The method of claim 66wherein the alignment assembly defines a first alignment assembly, and afurther comprising after the removing attaching a second alignmentassembly to the putter.
 68. The method of claim 63 wherein the device,when in the attached alignment position and orientation, extends outfrom a club head of the putter and disposed perpendicular to the face ofthe club head.